Bonn Votes on Israel Pact Today; Final Ratification Friday

The German-Israel reparations pact will be put into effect by the end of this month, it was indicated today when the Federal Council. which is the Upper House of the German Parliament placed the question on its agenda for Friday. Positive action by the Upper House would mark final parliamentary ratification of the pact signed at Luxemberg last September.

The Upper House’s action is contingent upon the expected approval of the measure in the Lower House tomorrow, when it is scheduled to receive its last two readings Althogh determined opposition to the agreement is expected to come in the Lower House, a substantial majority seems assured.

The Upper House had already approved the agreement unanimously last month and sent it to the Lower House, which will now return it to the Upper House after taking a final vote. Ratification by the Upper House on Friday is merely procedural.

Israeli circles here have expressed gratification that the Upper House has avoided further procrastination on the pact, whose passage was first expected by last November. Unless an unforeseen hitch develops, the pact should go into effect by March 31, when the first instalment of 200,000,000 marks is due.

Meanwhile, the German Government has received requests from the Free Democratic Party and the German Party, both rightist groups, urging immediate negotiations with the Arab states for trade agreements.